game engine Archives

BetaBeacon

March 14, 2025

Here’s how Google is making it easier for developers to port PC games to Android

Vulkan is now the official graphics API for Android, providing developers with more direct control over the GPU and improved performance in multi-threaded applications. Over 85% of active Android phones now support Vulkan, making it the preferred graphics API. Additionally, Google has partnered with Unity Technologies to make Vulkan integration easier with the Unity game engine and has collaborated with MediaTek to optimize the Android Dynamic Performance Framework for MediaTek chips.

AppWizard

March 6, 2025

Is Unreal Engine 5 still too advanced for PC games?

Unreal Engine 5 is becoming the preferred game engine for many studios due to its innovative features, but it presents performance challenges, especially on personal computers. Major consoles like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S handle it well, while advanced gaming laptops struggle with resource-intensive features like Nanite and Lumen, leading to inconsistent visuals and performance issues. Bryan Heemskerk from Moore's Law is Dead noted that Unreal Engine 5 was "two GPU generations off being performant" at launch and highlighted the advantages of consoles' dedicated I/O controllers over PCs, which face data bottlenecks. He suggested that the upcoming Nvidia GeForce RTX 6000 series could improve performance by 2026 or 2027. While Unreal Engine 5 offers capabilities for intricate technical art and lifelike character movements, developers not fully utilizing its latest features might benefit from older engine versions. Epic Games is aware of these performance challenges and has introduced updates to address shader compilation issues, although these solutions may require additional developer intervention. There is also a call within the gaming community for optimization efforts that align with current hardware capabilities.

AppWizard

February 13, 2025

Minecraft Engine Ported To GameCube & Dreamcast

The Flock of Meese's engine is designed to revitalize older gaming consoles like the Dreamcast, GameCube, and Wii by replicating the mechanics of Minecraft Beta 1.7.3 and evolving into a unique block-based game. The Dreamcast version operates at 30 FPS, while the GameCube version achieves 60 FPS, demonstrating performance optimization despite hardware limitations. The project aims to push programming boundaries and explore classic gaming systems, with plans for a distinct PC version that utilizes modern technology. Key features include optimized performance for older hardware, faithful replication of Minecraft mechanics, unique gameplay experiences, and enhanced graphics for the PC version.

AppWizard

February 12, 2025

Kotick: EA’s Riccitiello was “worst CEO” in games

Bobby Kotick, the former CEO of Activision Blizzard, referred to John Riccitiello, the former CEO of Electronic Arts, as the "worst CEO" in the gaming sector during an episode of the Grit show. Kotick mentioned that there had been multiple discussions about potential mergers between EA and Activision Blizzard, noting that EA had attempted to buy Activision Blizzard several times. He acknowledged that EA's business model was sometimes stronger than that of Activision Blizzard. Riccitiello joined EA in 1997 as president and COO, returned as CEO in 2007, and left in 2013 after poor financial results. He later became the CEO of Unity and departed in 2023 amid controversy. Riccitiello made provocative comments about developers in an interview, contributing to his polarizing reputation in the industry.

AppWizard

February 7, 2025

Game Development Software Market to Grow by USD 70.7 Billion from 2025-2029, Driven by PC Games and Gaming Consoles Demand, with AI Impact

The global game development software market is projected to grow by USD 70.7 billion from 2025 to 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 5.8%. This growth is driven by increased demand for PC games and gaming consoles, as well as the rising popularity of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) games. Key players in the market include Adobe Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Electronic Arts Inc., Epic Games Inc., and Unity Technologies Inc. Emerging trends include cross-platform development and the adoption of DevOps practices. Challenges include the rise of open-source game development software, high development costs, technical compatibility issues, and the resource-intensive nature of continuous updates. The game engine segment is significant for game design, development, and testing. Technavio provides insights into market trends and opportunities in the gaming software sector.

Tech Optimizer

December 26, 2024

“I went through hell” Japanese indie dev on how their game was wrongly flagged as a virus, and blocked on Steam

A Japanese indie developer, Shiromofu Factory, launched the game Dungeon Antiqua on October 10, 2024. The game, inspired by early Final Fantasy and Wizardry titles, is available on Windows and macOS and has received a Very Positive review status on Steam. After a December 6 update, users reported virus warnings from antivirus programs like Norton, Avast, and McAfee, which were triggered by the game's use of the Pyxel engine and Pyinstaller for executable files. The developer advised users to exclude the game's .exe file from scans, but on December 12, Steam blocked the game from sale due to multiple virus reports. The developer requested a rollback to an earlier version, which prevented future updates. They purchased Norton Antivirus for testing and attempted various solutions, including filing reports with antivirus companies and considering a code signing certificate. They identified that the use of Python’s “os.remove()” function contributed to the false alerts and implemented a workaround. However, antivirus software retained memory of flagged files, causing continued blocks. Ultimately, flipping the fairy image associated with the game’s file by 180 degrees allowed Dungeon Antiqua to bypass the antivirus barriers and resume updates.

AppWizard

November 30, 2024

Crysis 3 source code has reportedly been leaked a decade after launch — Crysis 3 mods incoming?

The source code of Crysis 3 has been leaked to a prominent code leaker and researcher known as @SvenTek_667, as reported by @vxunderground. This leak occurred nearly nine years and nine months after the game's initial launch in February 2013, and three years after the release of its Remastered version. The original Crysis trilogy faced performance issues on older hardware, while the Remastered versions improved the experience. The non-Remastered Crysis Trilogy has been removed from Steam. The leak may benefit mod developers by providing access to the game's internal mechanics, though legal challenges remain. The likelihood of a new game resulting from this leak is low, as previous leaks have already revealed insights into CryEngine 3, and the latest version, CryEngine 5.7.1, was released in 2022.

AppWizard

November 17, 2024

The World’s First AI-Generated Game Is Playable By Anyone Online, And It Is Surreal

A new online game titled Oasis has emerged, utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to generate every frame, creating a unique experience similar to Minecraft. Players explore a 3D world made of square blocks, mining resources and crafting items, with the environment evolving in real-time based on their actions. The game allows for customization by enabling players to upload their own images for personalized scenes. The game engine has been trained on millions of gameplay hours, replicating actions like moving and breaking blocks. Players may encounter peculiarities such as unexpected items in their inventory and a landscape that warps when not directly observed. The developers view Oasis as an exploration of AI's potential in gaming, with aspirations for AI-generated content to adapt to user preferences in real-time. Oasis is currently available for play, though players may need to join a queue.

AppWizard

November 16, 2024

World’s first fully AI game is based on Minecraft and described as ‘kinda creepy’

The world's first fully AI-generated video game, Oasis, has been launched by Decart as an AI simulation of Minecraft. The game features dynamic gameplay where the world evolves in real-time based on player actions. Players can choose starting locations and upload images to create unique worlds, but must wait in a queue for server access, with gaming sessions lasting 15 minutes. Inside the game, the environment transforms as players explore, with inventory items shifting based on their gaze. The AI model simulates physics, game rules, and graphics by learning from gameplay patterns. YouTuber YuB described his experience with Oasis as "kinda creepy" and noted the unpredictable nature of the game.

AppWizard

November 10, 2024

Halo 2 E3 2003 Demo Available for Download on PC

343 Industries has released the E3 2003 demo of Halo 2 on PC through Steam, available to owners of Halo: The Master Chief Collection. The demo features co-op gameplay, navigation points, and a 'Playground' mode for exploration. Players need Halo 2 Anniversary to access the demo. Additional unreleased Halo demos and levels, including Alpha Moon, are planned for future release.